Snarkitecture worked with Library Street Collective to design its new flagship gallery located in downtown Detroit in The Belt — a once deserted alleyway, which over the last 5 years, has been transformed into a cultural hub with ongoing public arts programming.

The gallery is located inside on the ground floor of the historic L.B. King and Company building. Using the original brick exterior, a sculpted a facade opens into the building. This subtle intervention creates both a portal into the gallery, as well as a public art moment that contributes to the programming along The Belt.

From inside the gallery, the facade installation creates an arrangement of bricks that appear to cantilever into the space. In addition to allowing natural light to flood the galley, the excavated brick forms offer an interesting contrast to the refined interior.

Flexibility was a top priority for the client, so the display wall at the back of the gallery offers exhibition space and provides a partition for the library, office or a private viewing area. Custom oak shelving with integrated lighting and a sliding ladder offers additional storage space.

Mosaic tiled flooring and a custom reception desk offer a layer of depth within the monochrome space. Meanwhile, cove lighting around the perimeter, along with a central halo light creates an even diffusion of light across the space for the exhibition of artworks.